Stephen

y loads on their patient backs. He raised the flap of the tent and looked out. A keen sparkle of stars overhead and a whiff of cold air greeted him. Yet he knew that it must be near the time to

ng a little in the cool breeze, he made his way towards the place

ins last night. Feasting is good, but fasting is better, since it giveth diligence rather than sloth. I would not

k with the dri

ut the saddle upon Mirah,

eat white dromedary, the favorite of her master, and threw upon

t the docile beast that stood with outst

r brats?" said one of the men in low tones to his

utiously about him. "Adah told me last night that he had promise

lad will not return. Why should such a thing be, whe

ith a low chuckle--"and a kid slain also, in the very midst of the mourning,

t of the reply reached him; it was this, and it filled him with vague alarms. "Wha

ourney. Anat had been aroused, and the two, perched securely on the back of the gentle Mirah, were the centre of a group of women, some of whom he

four camels and as many men, moved slowly away, followed by the stately Mirah, the two children, unaccustomed to the peculiar sw

wondered a little at this, but he said nothing. In the man who seemed to be in command of the expedition, the lad had recogniz

once more under way. They had grown somewhat accustomed to the long, swing

eated Anat, in her cl

fell him; it is a legend perhaps. I heard it spoken of in yonder encampment

er a few moments of thought; "there is a tale concerning him who caused it to be made, I k

he lad Joseph, and what befell him, that

rier," replied Anat with dignity, "I wi

n; it will help pa

n the borders of the wilderness; it is a true tale. As a lad this Joseph dwelt in the wilderness, the youngest of twelve brethren, the others were grown men; they hated Joseph and were en

th eagerly, "he dr

ified that he would become a great prince, and that all they of his household should do reverence before him. He should not have told such dreams," she added sagely, "for of course his brothers only hated him the more. One day he

do?" said Set

hy peace? Thou art as greedy over this tale as a flock of sparro

oul," said Seth meekly; "only, I pra

and tell their father that a beast had slain him, but just as they were turning the matter over in their minds they spied a caravan coming towards them, so they changed their wicked purpose to a wic

soul. It was all clear to him now. They were to be sold as slaves after all of their sufferings and da

r wonder. She had just arrived at the point in her story where the unfortunate h

ee, little one," answered Seth,

the day of thy death, no doubt," with s

ely in the heavens; let us leave the tale ti

is true, thy flesh hath over-much heat. See! I have her

tances, while near at hand the scarlet blooms of the cactus glowed like live coals. Once they came upon a flock of vultures gorging themselves upon the carcass of a camel; they rose with hoarse croakings and withdrew themselves to a little distance, till the living should pass b

side with his foot, as though she were a dog. Seth's eyes burned when he saw the thing, but he said nothing; he thought instead. The white dromedary crouched upon the sand, chewing

now them. Yonder camel can be touched by no other save Jered, his driver; but Mirah there is of another sort; I have seen my lord's li

hen?" said Seth, his h

ere is nothing swif

is words with a fierce look, "and do thou afterwar

lad?" questioned the other after Seth h

arry there till a caravan shall pass by, then will we sell the lad and the maiden for gold. The gold shalt thou divide between the three of you, and thou shalt say naugh

me," he said sullenly, "if I have not thy daughter to

th amazement. "Thou hast forgot

's sister, I am the son of Kish the herdsman. Yet in th

ngth. "It is true thou art a man, and my daughter is, after

the g

s dowry, in addition to

, my lord, I am henceforth as thy s

slept within the tent, but Seth rose up softly, and went out. He filled his goat skin at the fountain and bound it upon his back; he took also of the parche

, brother?" said Anat, hearing th

uld deal with us after the manner of the brethren of Joseph. We will get

crouched beneath the shadow of the p

mmanded her to be saddled," quoth Seth. "

driver; and she rose up with them, and went silently away into the d

were not able to overtake them because the gentle Mirah was very swift. Anon she disappeared from before their eyes like a white sail on the distant verge of the sea. When Pagiel saw that she was gone, bearing the two wh